Those looking for an easy-to-use, free, and powerful disc burning
application with all the essential tools will find AnyBurn 5.0 is a
great choice – particularly for older PCs given its minimal system
requirements.
For
Flexibility and ease of use
Minimal hardware requirements
Impressively fast performance
Decent online tutorials provided
Against
Does not support drag and drop for files
Does not copy multisession discs
AnyBurn 5.0
is a robust disc burning app that’s flexible and easy to use, not to
mention well-supported (running on Windows XP or better – not that you
should still be using that particular version of Windows, as it’s a long
way out of support now).
AnyBurn is freeware, and proof of the
old adage that good things come in small packages – another plus point
here is that the app is light on system resources. It also benefits from
an intuitive interface.
Features
AnyBurn
5.0 benefits from a well-designed interface: a simple yet engaging
traditional Windows-based UI that does not require the user to have any
special tech knowledge. The software installation procedure is easy and
hassle-free.
AnyBurn
presents all of its features in a separate pane, from which you can
select and perform disc burning tasks. You can easily select the burning
speed and the target drive. The settings allow you to verify the
written data, finalize the disc, and eject it after burning.
You
can use the AnyBurn software to burn files to a disc, copy a disc, or
erase a rewritable disc, or even to create an image file from other
files or discs. You can also easily convert images to ISO or BIN/CUE and
view the disc or drive properties. Ripping an audio CD is also
available for MP3, FLAC, APE, WAM, and WAV formats.
The ability to create backups to discs – whether CD, DVD or Blu-ray – is also provided.
As
we’ve already touched on, one of the best features of this application
is that it doesn’t demand much in the way of your PC’s resources, using
up little of your CPU’s precious power, and consuming hardly anything in
the way of memory either. The system requirements are extremely low,
and AnyBurn is capable of running on an old Intel Pentium 166MHz with
only 64MB of memory.
The program is generally responsive and tasks are completed swiftly.
Support
The application comes with support for eight languages: English, French, Polish, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, German and Spanish.
These
are a series of tutorials in text form on the AnyBurn website
describing the application’s standard functions in detail. These include
text-based tutorials on burning audio CDs from various file formats,
ripping audio CDs to multiple formats, and even creating bootable USB
drives for Windows 7/8/10. You can also get information on the AnyBurn
command line functions and their use from these tutorials.
For any
software-related complaints or queries, users can send a message to
support@anyburn.com. There’s also a contact form on the official
website, and the AnyBurn team promises to reply via email as soon as
possible.
Final verdict
AnyBurn
5.0 is a robust CD/DVD burner which is free and commendably
user-friendly. It allows you to perform a host of CD and DVD burning
functions, with detailed tutorials provided online. AnyBurn’s developers
seem vigilant enough to work on any user grievances and to modify the
app and interface as necessary in respect to the feedback they receive.
By JR Raphael,Contributing Editor, Computerworld, 12-18-18 Chromebooks may be all about simplicity, but don't be fooled:
Beneath their intuitive outer layer lies a web of advanced options. And
you don't have to be a power user to embrace it.
Make your way through this massive collection of next-level tips, and you'll be zipping around Chrome OS like a pro in no time.
Getting around Chrome OS
1.
The Chrome OS launcher — the drawer-like interface that appears when
you tap the Search key or hit the circle icon in the lower-left corner
of the screen — is actually a powerful universal search tool. Just start
typing as soon as it appears, and you can find and open apps, pull up
websites, and even get answers to specific questions right then and
there — no clicking or digging required.
2. The launcher has some
easily overlooked extra powers, too. Try typing in calculations
("172.4/3"), for instance, or unit conversions ("14.9 feet to meters")
to put Google to work at the system level.
JR Raphael/IDG
The launcher's search box can pull up apps and websites and perform
all sorts of other functions. (Click the image to enlarge it.)
3. If you use an Android phone, keep an eye on the very top
part of your Chromebook's launcher. Anytime you've had an article open
recently in Chrome on your phone, you'll see that page's title appear as
the first suggested item directly beneath the launcher's search bar.
Click or tap it to open the article and pick up where you left off.
4. Chrome OS has a hidden gesture for accessing the launcher, which is especially useful when you're using a Chromebook as a tablet: Simply swipe up from an open area at the bottom of the screen, and — just like with Android on Google's Pixel phones — the full launcher will appear.
5.
You can hide the shelf — the row of pinned "favorites" at the bottom of
your screen — by right-clicking it (clicking with two fingers) or
long-pressing on it and then selecting the "Autohide shelf" option that
appears. That'll cause the shelf to disappear anytime you have an app or
window open and then reappear when you mouse over its area or swipe
upward from the bottom of the screen. It'll also always show up when
you're viewing your desktop.
6. Quickly open any item on your
shelf by pressing Alt and then the number key that corresponds with its
position: Alt-1 for the first app in the list, Alt-2 for the second, and
so on.
7. Right-click or long-press on any app in your shelf or
within the main launcher to reveal a series of program-specific
shortcuts. You'll find the most options with Android apps, many of which
offer one-touch links to functions like composing new messages,
starting new documents, or jumping to specific folders or accounts.
8. As of 2018, Chrome OS boasts a distinctly Android-like
combined Quick Settings and notification panel in its lower-right
corner. You can open it without moving your hands off your keyboard by
pressing Shift-Alt-N from anywhere in the system.
9. Just like on
Android, it's possible to clear out all of your Chrome OS notifications
in one fell swoop — but the command is curiously tough to find. Here's
the secret: With your notification panel open, scroll up as far as you
can on the area of the screen showing notifications. Once you've moved
past the bottommost notification, you'll reveal a "Clear all" button.
JR Raphael/IDG
Scroll all the way up on a Chromebook's notifications, and you'll see
a "Clear all" command to dismiss them all at once. (Click the image to
enlarge it.)
10. Got a Chromebook with a stylus? You can take notes right from the lock screen with the Google Keep Android app.
Install the app and then look in the "Stylus" section of your device's
settings to make sure the option for lock-screen note-taking is enabled.
Once it's active, you'll see an icon in the upper-right corner of your
lock screen that'll let you scribble away.
Managing apps and windows
11.
You might not realize it, but your Chromebook has a handy Overview
interface for juggling open apps and windows. You can get to it by
pressing the button that looks like a box with two lines on your
keyboard (in the function row, directly to the left of the brightness
controls) or by pressing the similarly shaped icon that appears in the
lower-right corner of the screen when a Chromebook is in its tablet
mode.
12. Prefer to get around with your trackpad? Make a mental
note of this handy hidden trick: You can swipe downward with three
fingers on your trackpad from anywhere in the system to open the
Overview interface and see all of your open apps. You can then swipe
back upward with three fingers to return to your most recently used
process.
13. One more nifty Overview access trick: When your
convertible Chromebook is in its tablet mode (with the keyboard either
detached or swiveled around the back), swipe down from the top of the
screen while any app is open. That'll shrink the app down into the
Overview screen, where you can drop it and then select any other active
app or window you want to open.
14. You can open two apps side by
side in a split-screen mode by following the same step described above
but then dragging the app to the left or right side of the screen. When
you see that half of the screen light up, let go — then either select
another active app from the Overview interface or open a new app from
your launcher to fill the other half. You can do this with any
combination of websites, Chrome apps, Android apps, and even Linux apps
(more on those in a moment).
JR Raphael/IDG
Chrome OS's split-screen mode can be a helpful way to multitask while
using a Chromebook in its tablet mode. (Click the image to enlarge it.)
15. While viewing two apps in a split-screen setup, press
and hold the black bar in the center and drag it in either direction to
make either side larger or smaller.
16. If you have a lot of apps
and windows open, try going into Chrome OS's Overview screen and then
typing the name of the process you want. The system will gray out
nonmatching items as you type and highlight only those that include
whatever letters you've entered.
17. Prefer a faster Alt-Tab-like
method of switching between processes? Your Chromebook has that, too —
quite literally: Just press Alt-Tab once to toggle back and forth
between your two most recently used apps or windows, or press and hold
Alt-Tab to pull up a quick switching utility that'll let you tab between
all of your actively open items.
18. Want to move backwards in
your Alt-Tab list — from right to left instead of left to right? Hold
down Shift along with Alt and Tab.
19. Snap any app or window to
the side of your screen by hitting either Alt and [ (left bracket) for
the left side or Alt and ] (right bracket) for the right side. Repeat
the command a second time to return the app or window to its default
centered position.
20. Minimize an app or window by pressing Alt
and - (the minus key). Press that same key sequence again to bring the
app or window back up into its previous position.
21. Maximize an
app or window by pressing Alt and = (the equals key). Press that same
key sequence again to move the app back into its previous size.
22.
Give your Chromebook's apps some extra organization by creating folders
within the Chrome OS launcher. All you've gotta do is click or tap on
any app and then drag it on top of another app's icon. You can then
click or tap to open the folder and give it a name. And if you ever want
to take an app out of a folder, just click or tap the app in question and drag it out.
JR Raphael/IDG
Organize your Chromebook's launcher by grouping similar apps together into folders. (Click the image to enlarge it.)
Getting around the web
23. Within a
regular browser window, swipe left on the screen — or on your trackpad,
using two fingers — to go back one page in your browsing history. Swipe
right to go forward.
24. You can also press Alt and the left or right arrow key to accomplish the same thing.
25. In a window with multiple tabs, swipe left or right on your trackpad with three fingers to move among the tabs.
26.
Next time you want to open a link as a new tab, save yourself a step
and simply click the link with three fingers on your trackpad. It'll
automatically open into a new tab in the background — no right-clicking
and menu-selecting required.
27. Close a tab quickly by hovering over its title bar and then clicking your Chromebook's trackpad with three fingers.
28. Pull up the browser's main menu in a jiff by hitting Alt-E while in an active window.
29.
Need to open up a new browser window from the Chrome OS desktop — or
pretty much anywhere else in the operating system? Just hit Ctrl-N.
30.
Add any website you visit regularly into your device's shelf for easy
on-demand access by opening Chrome's menu (while viewing the site),
selecting "More tools," and then selecting "Create shortcut."
31.
If you have a shortcut to a website in your Chromebook's shelf and you
want it to look more like a regular app — without the browser-oriented
elements — right-click or long-press its icon, hover over the arrow next
to "New tab," and select "New window" from the panel that appears.
32.
If you're really feeling ambitious, you can go a step further and turn
any website into an actual native Chrome app — with any icon and color
scheme you want — by following the steps outlined on this page.
JR Raphael/IDG
You can make any website look and act like a native Chrome app, as seen here with Slack.
33. Some websites — such as Sling TV — somehow still don't
recognize a Chromebook as a valid type of computer and consequently
won't let you sign in and use their services. You can get around this by
installing the free User-Agent Switcher for Google Chrome
extension. Then, just select a different operating system within the
extension's menu, and that's it: The silly website will be tricked into
thinking you're on a different type of device — and whaddya know,
everything will suddenly work fine.
Improving your text input
34.
Don't make yourself use that oversized on-screen keyboard that comes up
by default in a Chromebook's tablet mode. Instead, tap the second icon
along the keyboard's top row — the one that looks like a rectangle with a
small, dark rectangle inside it. That'll shrink Chrome OS's keyboard
down into a far more manageable phone-like keyboard that you can move
around (using the "handle" at the keyboard's bottom) and place anywhere
you like.
JR Raphael/IDG
The floating on-screen keyboard is much easier to use than Chrome
OS's default full-width version. (Click the image to enlarge it.)
35. If handwriting is more your thing, be it with your
finger or a stylus, tap the first icon along the Chrome OS keyboard's
top row — the one that looks like a hand-drawn squiggle. That'll give
you an open canvas on which you can write anything you want by hand and
have it converted into text as you go.
36. Chrome OS's on-screen
keyboard has a built-in microphone icon that makes voice-to-text simple
for tablet-style usage, but you can actually tap into the same superb
dictation system even when using a Chromebook with a physical keyboard:
Open up your Chromebook's settings, scroll all the way down to the
bottom, and tap "Advanced." Scroll down more until you see the
"Accessibility" header, then tap "Manage accessibility features" beneath
it. Next, activate the toggle next to "Enable dictation (speak to
type)," beneath the "Keyboard and text input" header. That'll put a
small microphone icon in the lower-right corner of your screen, next to
the notification panel; you can then tap it anytime to start speaking
and have your words transcribed wherever your cursor is active.
37.
Find yourself missing the Caps Lock key? Press the Search key and Alt
together to activate Caps Lock. When you're ready to STOP SHOUTING,
press Search and Alt again to switch back to normal text.
38. Alternatively, if you really
miss Caps Lock — and don't mind giving up Chrome OS's Search key to
have it — you can remap the Search key so that it functions as a Caps
Lock key by opening your Chromebook's settings and selecting "Keyboard"
(beneath the "Device" header).
39. Give your Chromebook extra typing smarts by installing Text Blaze, an extension that lets you create complex custom macros
for your most commonly used phrases. You could set it up to
automatically fill in your mailing address anytime you type "/add" or
even to fill in a complicated email template whenever you type something
like "*go." The possibilities are practically endless, as is the
potential for saving time.
Managing files
40. Chromebooks are all about
the cloud and keeping your data perpetually synced — but by default, any
files you download are actually stored in a local device folder. Fix
that by opening up your Chromebook's settings, scrolling to the bottom,
and selecting "Advanced." Find the line labeled "Location" under the
"Downloads" header. Click "Change" and select a folder (or make a new
folder specifically for downloads) within your Google Drive storage.
Now, anything you download will automatically be saved to Drive and thus
be instantly available wherever you sign in.
41. If you really
want to get wild, you can crank up your Chromebook's cloud-connecting
power even more by having your Windows or Mac computer and Android phone
also sync downloads with that same Drive folder — effectively
creating a single device-agnostic and internet-based "Downloads" folder.
That way, anything you download will always be available on any device
you're using. You can find the full instructions, if you dare, in this Android Intelligence column.
42.
Want your Chromebook to integrate with cloud storage beyond just Google
Drive? No problem: Open up Chrome OS's Files app, click or tap the
three-dot menu icon in its upper-right corner, and select "Add new
service" from the menu that appears. You can then select to add a new
SMB file share — if you have a network server you want to be able to
access — or to install a new service, if you want to integrate Dropbox,
OneDrive, or other remote storage services into the Files app for
system-wide use.
JR Raphael/IDG
A few quick clicks are all it takes to integrate Dropbox, OneDrive,
and other cloud services directly into Chrome OS's file system. (Click
the image to enlarge it.)
43. You can create custom shortcuts to commonly used folders
— from either your local storage or any connected cloud service — in
the left panel of your Chromebook's Files app for easy ongoing access.
Find the folder you want and right-click it, then select "Create
shortcut" to add it into the list.
44. Speaking of your Files app, a shortcut to remember: You can quickly open it anytime, from anywhere, by hitting Shift-Alt-M.
45.
While in the Files app, you can switch between different sections by
hitting Ctrl and then the number keys that correspond with their
position (Ctrl-1 for Recent, Ctrl-3 for Images, and so on).
46.
Chrome OS's Files app has a built-in photo editor that's perfect for
basic image manipulation. While viewing an image in Files, click the
pencil-shaped icon in the upper-right corner — or hit "e" on your
keyboard — to get started.
47. For an even more robust file management experience, try installing the Solid Explorer Android app (also my top pick for advanced file management on Android)
onto your Chromebook. It's optimized for Chrome OS support and gives
you a two-panel view for fast dragging and dropping of files between
different locations — including your regular Chrome OS storage, the area
of your storage reserved for Android apps, and a huge variety of
cloud-based storage accounts you can opt to connect. It also empowers
you to add extra encryption onto specific files or folders and even to
create password-protected ZIP or 7ZIP archives. The app costs $2 after a
two-week trial.
JR Raphael/IDG
Solid Explorer gives you advanced file management functions like a
two-panel view and additional layers of encryption. (Click the image to
enlarge it.)
Simplifying security
48. Your Android phone can serve as a virtual key to your Chromebook. All you have to do is set up Smart Lock,
which lets you avoid typing in your password whenever your phone is
unlocked and nearby. Open the "Connected devices" section of your
Chromebook's settings to enable the feature and configure its options.
49.
If you're using a convertible Chromebook as a tablet, you probably
don't want to type in your full password on a giant virtual keyboard
every time the system wakes up — especially if you're in a public place
with lots of wandering eyes. Luckily, there's a better way: In the
"Screen lock and sign-in" section of your device's settings (under the
"People" header), you'll find an option to create a PIN that can be
tapped in more discreetly on the screen, similar to how you'd unlock a
phone.
JR Raphael/IDG
Setting a PIN makes it more practical to unlock a Chromebook in its tablet mode. (Click the image to enlarge it.)
50. Let someone else use your Chromebook without gaining
access to all your info with the help of Chrome OS's Guest Mode. Just
look for the "Browse as Guest" option on the lock screen when no one is
actively signed in. That'll open up an incognito-like environment where
no personal or account-related data is available and nothing that
happens is saved beyond that session.
51. By default, Chromebooks
make it easy for anyone to add an account and sign in from the lock
screen — something you may not want to have happen on your work device.
You can turn this feature off by opening the "Manage other people"
section in your Chromebook's settings. Activate the toggle next to the
line labeled "Restrict sign-in to the following users" and then make
sure only your account and any others you want on the device are
included in the list.
52. Next time you're stepping away from your
Chromebook, secure it quickly by hitting the Search key and then L.
That'll take you back to the lock screen and the account sign-in prompt.
53.
If you want to go a step further, hitting Ctrl-Shift-Q twice will sign
you out of the Chromebook completely — closing any open apps, windows,
and so on — no matter where you are in the system or what you're doing.
Embracing system tools
54.
Chromebooks have multiple ways to capture screenshots, three of which
are particularly useful: To capture the entire screen, either hit Ctrl
and the Overview key if your physical keyboard is handy — or press your
device's physical power and volume-down buttons if you're using a
Chromebook in its tablet mode. To capture a specific limited area of the
screen, hit Ctrl, Shift, and the Overview key and then use the
on-screen guides to select the area you want.
55. Need to focus?
Open up Chrome OS's notification panel — at the bottom-right of the
screen — and click the icon that looks like a circle with a line through
it (above the word "Notifications"). That'll put your Chromebook into
Do Not Disturb mode, and no notifications will alert you until you turn
it off.
56. You can also limit which apps and processes are
allowed to notify you in general. Just click the word "Notifications" in
that same area of the notification panel and then uncheck any titles
you don't want to be able to generate alerts.
JR Raphael/IDG
Stop individual apps and processes from notifying you to cut down on distractions. (Click the image to enlarge it.)
57. Give your eyes a break from the glare and take advantage
of Chrome OS's Night Light mode whenever you're staring at your screen
in the dark. Night Light adjusts the temperature of your display to make
it less harsh in dim conditions (just like the same-named feature on
certain Android phones, such as Google's Pixel devices). You can
activate it by looking for the Night Light button within the Quick
Settings panel — and you can customize its appearance and even tell it
to turn on and off automatically based on the time of day by looking in
the "Displays" section of the Chrome OS settings.
58. Speaking of
visual optimization, take a moment to explore Chrome OS's recently
updated wallpaper tool, which allows you to pick a category of images —
things like cityscapes, landscapes, and art — and then have the system
automatically refresh your device's wallpaper with a new image every
day. After all, a pleasant work environment is critical for
productivity, right? Right-click (or long-press) on an open area of your
desktop and select "Set wallpaper" to check out the options.
59.
If your Chromebook is running slowly or an app is acting up, hold the
Search key and then hit Esc to open Chrome OS's Task Manager. There, you
can see memory and CPU use for every active process and manually end
any item as needed.
60. Pressing Alt and then the brightness up or
down keys (in your keyboard's function row) will let you manually
adjust your keyboard's backlighting — assuming, of course, that your
Chromebook has a backlit keyboard.
61. Stylus users, listen up: If
your Chromebook came with a connected stylus, be sure to look for the
stylus menu in the lower-right corner of the screen (alongside the
settings and notification panels). It'll give you quick-tap options for
changing your stylus's current function and taking full advantage of
everything it can do.
Breaking down boundaries
62. Don't forget about Chrome Remote Desktop.
It's a simple and effective way to access another computer (Windows,
Mac, Chrome OS, or Linux) from your Chromebook without any costly or
complicated software.
63. If you need to show your Chromebook's
screen on a larger display, meanwhile — like a Chromecast-connected TV
in your office, conference center, or abode — look for the "Cast" option
in the Chrome OS Quick Settings panel. It'll automatically pull up any
compatible Cast targets on the same Wi-Fi network, and with one more
tap, your computer's screen will be mirrored.
64. Remember that
many recent Chromebooks can now run Linux apps — something that won't be
sensible or necessary for most people but can be an interesting way for
advanced users to expand Chrome OS's horizons. See my detailed Linux apps on Chrome OS guide to get started.
JR Raphael/IDG
Setting up your Chromebook to run Linux apps isn't exactly simple,
but for certain types of advanced users, it can open up a lot of
intriguing possibilities.
65. Want to use a browser other than Chrome on your
Chromebook for a while? That's actually now possible, thanks to the
availability of Android apps on Chromebooks. Provided your Chromebook is recent enough to support the Google Play Store, just open it up and take your pick. You can install common favorites like Firefox and Opera along with more niche-oriented titles like Dolphin and Puffin. Heck, if you really want to get crazy, you can even install the Chrome Android app and run it on your Chromebook. Just be prepared to see the ghost of M.C. Escher cackling off in the distance.
This story was originally published in November 2017 and updated in December 2018.
Contributing Editor JR Raphael serves up tasty morsels about the human side of technology. Hungry for more? Join him on Twitter or sign up for his weekly newsletter to get fresh tips and insight in your inbox every Friday.
If you want to jot down notes or write code on your Chromebook, you're going to need a reliable text editor.
Here are some of the best HTML editors and text editors for your Chromebook device.
1. Caret
Caret is the Chromebook text editor of choice for developers
and coders. The app runs completely offline and, importantly, is
capable of opening and saving files either locally or in your Google
Drive.
Modeled on Sublime Text, Caret is a full-featured,
open-source code editor that uses Mozilla's Ace code editor to highlight
code in almost any language you want.
Key features include tabbed editing, JSON-format settings
files, and sublime-compatible keymappings. The only drawback for coders
is the lack of Git and SFTP integration. Unfortunately, the developer
has indicated he has no plans to incorporate support in the future.
For users who just want to use it as a simple note-taking
and text-dump application, it works equally well. The interface is basic
and clean, just like Notepad on Windows and TextEdit on macOS; it
allows users to create simple documents and make quick edits to text
files.
Text is a simple Notepad++ alternative for Chromebook. It
doesn't have cloud-synchronization nor is it modeled on Sublime Text,
but it does offer syntax highlighting for various programming languages
and uses a distraction-free interface.
The app is powered by CodeMirror, though it doesn't take
full advantage of the versatile text editor's features. For example,
there is no integration of JavaScript autocomplete, yet smart
indentation and bracket and tag matching are supported.
For those who do not have complex needs, Text offers a
user-friendly experience that is easy to master. The app can save and
open files directly to/from the local hard-drive, supports having
multiple files open at the same time, and has full offline
functionality.
Unbeknown to many, a (very) simple text editor is built directly into the Chrome browser.
Enter data:text/html, <html contenteditable>
in your Chrome's address bar and you'll be presented with an editable
page just like Notepad and TextEdit. You can even save the document (as
an HTML page) by hitting Ctrl + S.
It's worth bookmarking the link—although it's basic it will
work 100 percent of the time, giving you a fail-safe option in an
emergency.
4. Quick Write Text Editor
If you'd prefer a simpler way to use your browser as a text
editor, the under-appreciated Quick Write Text Editor is worth a look.
The distraction-free app fills a tab with an editable field.
You can set the text font, color, size, and change the color of the
background.
Quick Write Text Editor also works offline—so when you want
to edit text on your Chromebook while you're away from Wi-Fi, you won't
be stuck.
Google Docs is primarily a Microsoft Word alternative for your Chromebook—but if you need a native app to quickly take notes on something, it will do the job.
The other Google app worth considering is Google Keep. It's
great for project management, to-do lists, and saving documents
on-the-fly. We've written how to use Google Keep if you'd like to learn more.
Magic CSS is a code editor for Chromebooks. It offers live previews of CSS/Less/Sass code changes.
It includes an auto-save feature, a CSS reloader, and syntax
highlighting. You can also minify and lint your code, as well as
loading the extension in iframes.
Web Text Editor is a nifty Chromebook app that will let you edit the text of any website in your browser.
Of course, you're not overwriting the content of the actual
site, but it's useful for people who deal with text on websites every
day and want to quickly point out potential changes to colleagues.
And let's be honest; the app also has great prank potential—just think of all those possible Wikipedia edits...
If you need an HTML editor for Chromebook, check out Edit With Sublime Text.
It allows users to edit the content of an HTML node element,
as well as edit "TEXTAREA", "INPUT[type=search]" and "INPUT[type=text]"
elements externally.
The extension can be used to edit multiple nodes at the same
time, with each node having its own text file that you save as needed.
You can also use Edit With Sublime Text to access the
DevTools panel and convert either an external script or an external CSS
resource to an internal version.
We'll end the list with another very simplistic text editor, Noteblock.
It is designed to be used as a notepad to jot down ideas
while you are browsing the web. When you click the extension, a text
block will pop up in the top-right corner, and you can start writing
immediately.
Uniquely for this type of app, Noteblock offers tabbed notes
within the extension itself. That means not only can you keep your
notes organized, but they also won't become lost among all your other
tabs.
Your notes are saved locally rather than in the cloud, so you can rest easy from a privacy perspective.
Chromebooks might not garner the same number of headlines
that they did a couple of years ago, but they are still great machines
and fulfill most of your productivity needs.
With a bit of digging, you can also find free image editors, video editors, and audio editors.
Dan joined MakeUseOf in 2014 and has been Partnerships
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Find out the different reasons why Chromebooks serve as the smarter choice over a traditional Windows laptop. Has Chrome OS taken over?
Find as many smart reasons to choose Chromebooks over a Windows laptop. Go as deep as possible, covering everything from price and build quality to operating system differences, gaming, even Android compatibility, battery, etc.
Chromebooks have become a true force to be reckoned with. Now the Chromebooks vs. Windows argument has taken a new spin. In today’s world, choosing a Chromebook over a Windows laptop is the smarter decision.
Here's why.
1. Chromebooks are More Affordable
A Chromebook is one of the best budget laptop options available.
Chromebooks are affordable laptop alternatives running Google's Chrome OS software. Here are the best budget-friendly Chromebooks.
This is one argument where Chromebook vs. Windows has an obvious winner. Chromebook's always come out on top because you can utilize them for a lower cost than many Windows laptops while having almost the same performance level.
Chrome OS works more efficiently, even when running on lower-end hardware. There is no Windows device available in the market today for $300 that can provide you with the same performance as a similarly priced Chromebook.
You don’t need to install traditional apps on Chrome OS. The operation system uses web apps instead, which run in a browser window. If you don’t have to run installable software, your Chromebook can’t get infected by traditional viruses.
Sandboxing contributes a lot as well. Each browser, Linux app, Android app, or web app that you open will run in a unique virtual sandbox. This helps isolate it from the rest of the operating system.
Thus, if malware exists on that particular page, it won’t penetrate the entire system. The process can be easily killed by simply closing the tab.
Let’s imagine a hypothetical scenario where malware somehow punches through the sandbox. The question arises, what happens next?
Well, Chrome OS can take good care of that because of a special feature called Verified Boot. Each time you boot up your Chromebook, it automatically runs a system integrity check. And if there’s something wrong, it will fix itself immediately.
The only type of threat that may cause concern is browser extensions. Make sure to verify or double-check your Chrome extensions before getting them. This requires your thorough analysis.
With anything other than extensions, there’s no reason to worry as your Chromebook is safe and always good to go. However, while malware or traditional viruses won’t be able to harm your Chromebook, it won't stop a phishing attack or prevent online fraud. That's down to you.
Hackers have not targeted Chromebooks in same the way Windows is targeted. Google proudly promotes the security features of Chrome OS as a vital selling point. Chromebooks instantly check and apply actual security updates, and that includes sandboxing media and web filters.
3. Runs Faster and Boots Instantly
Try opening your Windows laptop right now. Record the time it takes before you can start using it. If the laptop was in sleep mode, it probably booted fairly quickly. But the wait probably takes much longer if it was turned off.
Chromebooks don’t take long to boot, because they can load the operating system in seconds. If it wakes from sleep mode, it boots even faster.
Chromebooks not only boot faster, but they can run fast, despite having limited hardware. It’s really difficult to bog a Chromebook down. Even an old Chromebook can run fast and exceed expectations.
4. Insane Setup Speed
Can you recall the last time you set up a Windows computer?
You had to install applications, set up your preferences, and other tweaks to get your best Windows user experience. How long did it take? Was it instant? Probably not.
When you set up your Chromebook, it automatically syncs with your own Google account. Your next log in to your new Chromebook will easily sync everything and get you rolling in just a few minutes! The keyword is ‘minutes.’ Take note of that!
Don’t be surprised about this fact. Chrome OS wins over the competition when it comes to having more access to apps. There is no other OS out there that can top Chrome OS in this regard.
The Play Store offers Android apps, there are web apps, and the Chrome Web Store offers thousands of options. Recently, Google brought Linux apps to the fold, and you can even run Windows apps on a Chromebook using Parallels. Google is looking to further those integrations, too.
Imagine all the apps of three operating systems and it's all possible on a Chromebook. That should be a treat! You add this up with streaming games from GeForce Now or Google Stadia, and you have a wide selection of apps, tools, and games straight from your Chromebook!
6. Chromebooks Are Versatile
If you need a laptop that does internet and office work, a Chromebook is your best option.
If you need a safer machine, choose a Chromebook. If you want a flexible system capable of juggling Android, Linux, some Windows, and the web, then the Chromebook is your best choice.
You will be grateful that you did select a Chromebook over a Windows laptop.
Why Chromebooks Rule?
Chromebooks are the newer option compared to Windows, and it offers a wider selection of apps. The security problems of Windows cause a lot of headaches, but you won’t experience that with a Chromebook.
The hardware improves year in, year out, and Chrome OS offers enhanced features as time goes by. So, if you want to compare Chromebooks vs. Windows, just make sure that you consider the six reasons mentioned above.
JR Raphael/IDG
JR Raphael/IDG
